B.C. Premier David Eby to speak at UBCM amid snap election speculation

B.C. Premier David Eby is set to speak at the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) in Vancouver on Friday morning amid speculation about a possible snap election.

Two weeks ago, Eby said he was busy preparing for the fall session, but on Wednesday he raised speculation about a fall election.

“We have a one-vote majority, so we’re election-ready as the NDP,” Eby said.

“Elections BC should be election-ready.”

New data from Angus Reid on Thursday showed the NDP at 41 per cent, which is four points ahead of the BC Conservatives, with the BC Greens sitting at 13 per cent.

However, 47 per cent say the NDP is doing a bad or very bad job, while 39 per cent disagree.

The president of the UBCM is urging Eby not to call any elections until after municipal elections conclude on Oct. 17.

“We call on the premier to respect the law and respect the integrity of the local election process that only happens once every four years,” Cori Ramsay said on Thursday.

“It’s time to hit pause and put British Columbians first.”

This story will be updated following Eby’s speech, which begins at 11:20 a.m. PT.